The Faroe Islands Podcast

Listen to our most recent episode:

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Faroese metal band TYR is touring North America and we catch up with bandleader Heri Joensen during his band's swing through Portland, Oregon. We talk about touring in America verses Europe, the protesters who have shown up to some of his concerts and, of course, theology.

As always, you can listen on Apple Podcasts, on our media player on Stitcher Smart Radio, and at the Google Play Store. You can also download the show directly here.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

This week, we've got a bite-sized podcast where we visit a memorial to Niels Finsen, the first Nordic person to win a Nobel Prize and the only Faroese person to receive that honor.

We also launch our 2018 fundraising drive. We're raising money to fund another season of podcasts, and we'd like your help. If you have the means, please visit out gofundme page and toss a couple of bucks into the tip jar.

Also, we're making plans for our 300th Podcast. We'll record it during a special live event in Torshavn on July 9th. Admission is free, so if you'd like to attend, check out the event page on Facebook and join us for a night of storytelling, music and a few surprises.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

This week we catch up with Scottish footballer Maurice Ross. When we spoke to him last in 2017, Maurice was managing a new football (or soccer, if you're American) team on the southern island of Suduroy. Now he's taken the coaching job at Vikingur, a team that has won the league two years in a row.

Maurice talks to Ras 2 journalist Trondur Arge about the move to Gota and the challenges of managing a team where finishing second is considered a failure. This interview is an excerpt of a much longer conversation on Ras 2. You can hear the full conversation here.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Mikkeller is a Danish brewer who has popularized the craft beer movement in Europe. They operate a small number of pubs in cities like Tokyo, San Francisco, and Bangkok. So it raised a few eyebrows when Mikkeller announced they were opening a pub in Torshavn.

On this podcast, we attend the grand opening of Mikkeller Torshavn and talk about the massive changes happening in Torshavn over the past year.

As always, you can listen on Apple Podcasts, on the Google Play app, on Stitcher Smart Radio, and on our media player at the top of the page. You can also download the show directly here.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

This week, we talk to Heimir Guðjónsson, an Icelandic football (soccer) manager who has just taken the top job at HB in Torshavn. HB is kind of like the New York Yankees of Manchester United: a storied team with a packed trophy case that is pretty much despised by anyone who doesn't live within 5 miles of the stadium. HB is the only team in the Faroese top flight that hasn't been relegated, and its fans expect nothing less than a championship each year. Who would take a job managing a team like that? Ras 2 reporter Trondur Arge will ask Heimir that and a whole lot more.

Then we'll stand on a stretch of road in Torshavn that was a popular hangout for teenagers. And because we stood there, no teenagers will ever stand there again.

As always, you can listen on Apple Podcasts or Google Play or Stitcher Smart Radio or anywhere where quality podcasts are given away for free. You can also download the show directly here.

Monday, February 19, 2018

On this week's podcast, we attend the Faroese Footballer of the Year ceremony in Torshavn. The Faroe Islands is arguably the most football-mad country in Europe, with about 10% of the population either playing in or attending matches each week. As you can imagine, they take their football awards seriously, too.

We'll talk to two players who took home a lot of trophies. One traveled from Africa to play in the Faroes. The other had a baby in the off-season.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

This week, we continue our coverage of the HOYMA Festival. We'll hear music from Son of Fortune (pictured, above), Elinborg, and TOS. We'll also talk to Benjamin about his solo career, starting Son of Fortune, and how his father influenced him musically.

Then we'll dance late into the night and offer some advice on attending HOYMA for anyone who might be interested.

Also, you might notice a clicking sound in a lot of our music recordings. If you'd like to see the photos that were being taken (hint: you want to see them, they're quite good) you can see the gallery of photos from that night here.

Past guests & shows

Episode 8:

In this special edition of the podcast, we travel to Portland, Oregon to talk with the leader of Faroese metal band Tyr. We also ask some people in line what they know about the Faroes, and take a drive to the bottom of the ocean.

Guest: Heri Joensen

Episode 7:

In this mini-podcast, we hear the remainder of Jenny's interview, get an update on a Danish reality program, and get a preview of next week's special podcast.

Guest: Jennifer Henke

Episode 6:

In episode six, we speak with an American woman who splits her time between San Francisco and the Faroes. We also meet a Faroese musician who won the right to play at South by Southwest in Austin. And we take a stroll among the trees (what few there are) in Torshavn.

Guests: Jennifer Henke and Høgni Lisberg

Episode 5:

In this episode, we hear about the Faroese music scene, learn about a pivotal moment in Faroese history, and listen to the Law Thing.

Guests: Jón Tyril and Hans Andrias Sølvará

Episode 4:

In episode four, we get a lesson in the history of Faroese politics, learn about a TV series being shot in the Faroes, and take a trip to the airport.

Guest: Hans Andrias Sølvará

Episode 3:

In this episode, we learn about the upcoming G! Festival, talk to the woman responsible for attracting tourists to the Faroe Islands, and stand in the center of Torshavn.

Guest: Elin Brimheim Heinesen

Episode 2:

In the second edition of the podcast, we debunk some common myths about the Faroe Islands, take a walk through the mall, and try once more to pronounce the word "Torshavn."

Guest: Michael Paul Reveal

Episode 1:

In this first edition of the Faroe Islands Podcast, we hear a little news about the Faroes, get some background on the islands, and hear a field recording taken in Torshavn. That, and the host mispronounces some Faroese words.